Combined valve and heatee



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. H. POOR.

COMBINED VALVE AND HEATER.

No. 354,221. Patented Dec. A14, 1886.

' N. PETERS. PhalLilhngnpmr. washington, D. C.

(No Model.) v2 Sheets-Sheet 2. GHfPooR.

. COMBINED VALVE AND HEATER. No. 354,221. Patented Dec. 14, 1886.

N. PETERS mwuuapagher. wamangm. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

GEORGE H. POOR, OE ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR `'IO rIHE AMERICANBRAKE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

COMBINED VALVE AND HEATER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 354,221, dated December14, 1886.

Application filed August 2, 1886. Serial No. 209,732.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. POOR, a

citizen of the United States, residing at St.

Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in a Combined Valve and Heater for Maintaining theTemperature and Preventing Condensation in Pipe Systems Where Steam isUsed Intermittently; and I hereby declare the following to bea full,clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, illustrating the manner of applying my invention,and wherein- Figure l is a vertical central section of a rotary valveembodying my invention, on the line :r x, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan ortop view of the lower section of the valve-shell, portions in section toshow a sub-valve or leakvalve, the chambers of the lower section of theshell being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a top View of the lowersection of the shell, showing the valve-seat and ports therein. Fig. 4is a section of the shell just below the valveseat on the line y y, Fig.1, showing how the valve exhausts through the hollow stem. Fig. 5 is abottom View of the rotary valve. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the same.Fig. 7 is a section on the line z z, Fig. 2, showing the horizontalwall, which divideschamber 4 so as to form recess 5, which communicateswith chamber 3.

Likeletters refer to like parts wherever they occur.

In systems of steam-piping provided with suitable valves of anycharacter, wherein steam `is intermittently used, there is always aliability,when the steam is cut off, for condensation to take place onone or both sides of the valve, and when the valve is opened to admitsteam to the system, if the pipes have fallen materially in temperature,there is loss of power by condensation until the temperature of thesystem is again raised; and, further, there is the additional trouble ofthe water of condensation, which has accumulated while the steam was cutoff, being forced through the system until the exhaust or some otheroutlet or escape therefor is reached. Vhile this is the casein all thesteam-pipe systems where steam is used intermittently, and with allkinds of valves,

so that my present invention is of broad scope and gen eral utility, itis markedly the casein vsteanrbrake systems, when the brakes areapplied, and like positions exposed to changes and extremely lowtemperatures; and it is in such posit-ions that my device has specialadvantages by preserving the temperature of the system, so that the fullpower of the steam may be applied instantlyin applying the brakes to anengine or train, or for like purposes. 6o

Vhile by the exercise of proper care and foresight the bad effects ofcondensation in such a system can be measurably avoided, yet troubletherefrom so frequently occurs that it is now commonly guarded againstby connecting the pipes leading from the main supply pipe, back of themain valve, with the system, cylinders, or other point of utilization ofthe steam by a branch pipe, suitably valved to permit the flow of asmall inoperative quantity 73 of steamand to act as a heater for thecylinders or system, as the case may be.

The object of my invention is to combine,

with the main valve of the system, means for maintaining the temperatureof the pipe sys- '75 tem or systems, so as to diminish or avoid condensation when the body of steam is admitted for applying the brakes orfor like purposes, all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

I will now proceed to describe my inven-A 8c the invention as applied toa rotary steam valve of the character described in my Patent No.304,751, dated September 9, 1884; but I do notherein claim anythingtherein contained; neither do I limit my invention to thespecic valve orclass of valves so shown and de- 9o scribed.

In the drawings, A indicates the lower` and B the upper section of theshell, and C the valve,which sections may be beveled or ground off, soas to form a close or ball joint, and may be coupled or connected by aspanucrnut, q, or in any other suitable way.

The upper section, B, of the shell has its port for the passage of thevalve-stem n, surrounded by tlie gland m and stuffing-box Z. Ico

The lower end of the stem a has a foot or key, o, to engage in asuitable recess formed by lugs h h (see Figs 6) on the top of the valve.This section B of the shell has also on its inner surface a lug, k, toengage with lugs z t" on the top of the valve C, and limit its movement,and a dowel-pin, which enters a suitable hole, u, in the iiange of thelower section, A, and insures the proper relation of the rotary valve Gto the ports in the valve-seat.

G indicates the valve, which has the lugs z' 'i' upon its upper surfaceto engage with lug 7c on shell-section B and lugs h h for its connectionwith and operation by the valve-stem a. This rotary-valve C is cupped onits under surface, and divided into two chambers by radial bars ordiaphragms g g', one chamber or recess, e, for live steam, and anotherchamber, f, for covering the ports b c d of the valveseat.

J indicates a hole or port in the top of livesteam chamber e, to permitan escape of live steam into the shell B above valve C to balance thevalve.

A indicates the lower section of the shell, which is covered or closedby the valve-seat A, having ports a b c d. This shell A is provided witha central annular wall, 10,which projects beyond the bottom of theshell, as at P, to form the stem that supports the valveshell, and atthe same time a steamway or exhaust. The interior of the shell isdivided up by a series of vertical radial diaphragme or walls, m m2 m3,(see Fig. 4,) into a series of chambers, l 2 3, and by a transversevertical wall, m, (see Fig. 2,) which forms a fourth chamber, 4. Ofthese chambersl is for live steam, and has its receiving-port a and itsdischarging-port a through the valve-seat below recess e of the rotarycup-valve. 2 is for the supply to the tender-brake or rst system ofpipes, and has its port b through the valveseat A, by which it receivesand exhausts, and its port or pipe b', leading to its system orcylinder, while the third, 3, is for the driver-brake cylinder or asecond pipe system, and has its port c in the valve-seat, by which ittakes and exhausts steam, and its port c,leading to said driver-brakecylinder or to said second system of pipes.

In addition to the ports b c of the valve-seat A', there is a thirdport, d, therein, which is always an exhaust-port, and opens into thefourth (or exhaust) chamber, 4,01" shell-section A, which chamber 4communicates with the central annular exhaust-chamber, d. There is alsoa horizontal wall, m5, which divides the chamber 4, so as to form achamber or recess, 5, (see Fig. 2,) which communicates with chamber 3and ports c c. In the vertical wall m, which separates this pocket orrecess 5 from the live-steam chamber l a small hole, e', is drilled,which will allow steam to enter the recess-5 from the live-steam chamberl, and this'small hole e is provided with a needle or equivalent valve,f, having its stuffing-box H formed on the lower section, A, ofthe valveshell or case. n

The nozzle or pipe D, by which the valvecase or its lower section iscoupled with the live-steam-supply pipe, is extended considerably beyondits usual length, and cast integral with the valve shell or sectionAthereof, and provided with a threaded or equivalent boss, s, for thereception of an oil-cup, L, of any suitable character, whereby the livesteam may be made to convey the lubricant to the valve-seat.

The devices, being substantially such as described, will operate asfollows: The steam which enters by port a into the chamber l passesthence by porta into the recess e of the cup-valve C. It', now, thevalve O is rotated so as to carry the bar or diaphragm g past the port bof the valve-seat A, the live steam will descend through port Z) intochamber 2, and

cylinder or first system of pipes; and kif the movement of the valve Cis continued until the bar g passes the port c the live steam will thenpass from recess e down through port c of the valve-seat A into chamber3,and thence by its port c to the driver-brake cylinder or pipes. On thereverse movement of valve C, as soon as the bar g passes back over portc, the driver-brake cylinder orsecond system of pi pes will be put incommunication with the exhaust through port c', chamber 3, port c,recess f in the cup-valve C, and exhaust-port d of the valve-seat, andas the bar g continues its return movement the tendcr-brake cylinder orpipe system No. l will be put in communication with the exhaust throughport b', chamber 2, port b, recess f of the valve, and exhaust port d inthe valve-seat A'. Vhether the port e of the heater system be open orclosed it will not interfere with the usual op` eration of this or anyother valve with which it is combined. Vhen, however, it is open, a

small quantity of live steam, sufficient to preserve the temperature ofthe pipe systems with which the valve is connected and preventcondensation therein when the body of steam is-admitted to apply thebrakes or for like purposes, will constantly escape from live-steamchamber l th rough port e into re- IOO IIO

cess or chamber 5, and will diffuse itself, passing from recess orchannel 5 into chamber 3,

part passing thence by port c to the driverbrake cylinder or system No.2 of steam-pipes,

and part passing th rough port c into the recess or chamber f of valveC, and thence by port b into chamber 2, to diffuse itself in thetenderbrake cylinder or irst system of steam-pipes, while some escapesby port d of the valve-seat, thus causing a gentle circulation throughall the pipes and f cylinders of the system of a small inoperativevolume of steam, which preserves the temperature of the system andprevents condensation therein when the steam is cut oft' by themainvalve C. Vhen it is de! sirable to prevent the circulation of steam,

| w l I I the port e may be closed by its needle-valve f', or said valvemay be manipulated to regulate the amount of steam escaping through porte.

Among the advantages of my invention are that'I am enabled thereby toprevent the collection of condensed steam in the pipe between the mainvalve and boiler, so that the main valve, shell, Sto., will not beflooded4 when the valve is opened. I am also enabled to preventcondensation in the pipes or cylinders controlled by the main valve whenthe body of steam is admitted to the system to apply the brakes or forlike purposes; and I am enabled to maintain the temperature of thecylinders or pipe system, so as to prevent con-l densation, and thusobtain the full force of the steam-pressure the instant the main valveis opened.

As before specified, I do not limit my invention to any particular formor class of valves, or valves employed for any particular purpose, asthe invention is evidently applicable to any position or system wheresteam is intermittently used, and one -manner of applying the inventionhaving been indicated, it can be modified to suit various well-knownconstructions of valves.

2. In a steam-valve, the combination, with a main valve, of anindependent sub-valve 4o arranged therein to allow a slight iiow ofsteam through the same system controlled by the main valve,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. A steam-valve having a series of chambers, two of which communicateby means of a leak or port independent of the position or movement ofthe main valve, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. Ihe combination, with a steam -valve having a series ofsteam-chambers, two of which communicate by a port or passage other thanthe ports of the valve-seat, of a plug or cut-ott' for controlling theiiow of steam independent of the main valve through which said cham- 5bers communicate, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. The combination, with a valveshell having a valve-seat provided withingress and egress ports, said shell divided into chambers, two of whichcommunicate through a leakport, of a rotary cup-valve, substantially asand for the purposes specified.

6. A valve whose shell has an elongated coupling-pipe or nozzle providedwith a boss for the oil-cup, said nozzle integral with the shell of thevalve, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof Iaftix my signature, in presence of two witnesses,this 29th day of 7o July, 1886.

Gnonen H. noon.

